Violinist

Artistic Director

**Event Title:** The Universe Sounds Delicious

**Date and Time:** Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (18:00 - 22:00)

**Location:** The Revery, 1700 Naud Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States

**Description:**
Prepare for an interstellar journey where classical music meets the cosmic expanse in "The Universe Sounds Delicious." This unique event, hosted at the otherworldly venue of The Revery in Los Angeles, promises an evening where the music of the spheres has never tasted so good. 

Dive into a space-themed musical odyssey complemented by a gourmet 5-course meal crafted by Master Chef alum Becky Brown. The event features an intimate setting that allows for a stellar blend of astronomy, music, and gastronomy. Attendees will have the privilege of meeting three astronomers who are not only passionate about the cosmos but also share a deep love for music. They will unveil the millennia-old connection between music and astronomy, sharing insights and secrets of the universe.

Highlight of the evening includes a performance by NASA astronomer Steve Bryson, known for his work in discovering Earth-like planets. He will enchant the audience with the theremin, playing alongside Salastina’s string quartet, and share insights from his scientific endeavors. Additionally, two esteemed French employees from LIGO will discuss their Nobel Prize-winning work in 2017, which involves listening to the actual sounds of the universe to gain insights into its origins.

The event also features a "Theremin Petting Zoo," where guests can try their hand at creating otherworldly sounds and alien voices, adding an interactive and immersive element to the evening. The experience design by Mercedes Curran ensures an unforgettable night that blends music, science, and culinary arts in a way that's unparalleled in the universe.

**Artists:**
- Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists
- Yoshika Masuda, Resident Cellist
- Linnea Powell, Guest Violist
- Steve Bryson, Guest Theremin Player and Speaker
- Arnaud Pele and Marie Kasprczak, Guest Speakers
- Becky Brown, Chef
- Mercedes Curran, Experience Designer

**Program:**
- Terry Riley: Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector
- Carolina Eyck: Ascent Descent and Strange Birds
- Chris Westlake: Selections from Star Trek: Below Decks
- Hans Zimmer: Selections from Interstellar
- John Williams: Selections from Star Wars

**Menu Highlights:**
- Welcome drink: Bantha Punch
- First course options: Tai snapper crudo OR Shiso salad (vegetarian option)
- Second course: Extraterrestrial beet terrine
- Third course options: Braised beef short rib OR Braised King oyster mushroom (vegetarian option)
- Fourth course: Nebula luminescent chocolate cake

**Ticket Information:** In-person tickets are priced at $295.

**Additional Information:** All sales are final. Programs, artists, prices, and dates are subject to change. Donations to Salastina, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are deductible to the full extent of the law.

Prepare to embark on a cosmic journey that tantalizes the senses and expands the mind at "The Universe Sounds Delicious."

EPSG:4326

The Universe Sounds Delicious

The Revery LA

Each year, Salastina selects up to 10 young composers worldwide to take part in its Sounds Promising Young Composers Program. The program is zero-cost for all participants, and has resulted in “life-changing” (their words, not ours!) professional development – and even high-profile commissions. Last year, we pledged to commission one participant from each year’s cohort. This concert includes world premieres by 2021 Sounds Promising Young Composer Kian Ravaei and a 2023 participant to be determined. Each composer will pen a piece for our entire ensemble – piano, string quartet, and flute – taking inspiration from Bach’s Chaconne. Resident Pianist HyeJin Kim opens the program with Busoni’s arrangement of the same work. Wine and munchies reception to follow.

Main Series No. 4: Youth at the Altar

Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center

Join Salastina for an unforgettable evening of classical music with "Main Series No. 5: Schubert and the Pummel of Hummel," a concert that promises to explore the arbitrariness of fame through the lens of two iconic composers. This unique event is set to take place on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 8:00 PM, and will continue through Sunday, June 16, 2024, with performances across various prestigious venues in West LA, Pasadena, and Orange County.

Dive into the historical rivalry between Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Franz Schubert, as Salastina recreates the famous 1819 concert where Hummel's world-premiere performance was overshadowed by Schubert's now-celebrated Trout Quintet. This concert is not just a musical journey but also a reflection on how history remembers art and artists. The program will feature Hummel's Piano Quintet Op. 87 and Schubert's Piano Quintet D 667 "The Trout," among other pieces, allowing the audience to judge for themselves the fairness of posterity.

The talented ensemble for the evening includes Salastina's Co-Artistic Directors and Violinists Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper White, alongside Resident Artists Meredith Crawford (Viola), Yoshika Masuda (Cello), HyeJin Kim (Piano), Benjamin Smolen (Flute), and Brian Lauritzen (Host). 

The event will also offer a wine and munchies reception, providing a perfect opportunity for mingling and discussion among classical music enthusiasts. For those unable to attend in person, Salastina Members may enjoy a free livestream of the concert in the Members-Only Lounge, ensuring no one misses out on this extraordinary musical experience.

Tickets are available for both in-person attendance and livestream viewing. Mark your calendars for a night of exquisite music that questions the legacy of two of classical music's giants, all set against the backdrop of Southern California's vibrant cultural scene.

Kevin Kumar

Violinist, Artistic Director

Events

Apr 28, 2024

The Universe Sounds Delicious · Salastina

10 - 11 May, 2024

Main Series No. 4: Youth at the Altar · Salastina

14 - 16 Jun, 2024

Main Series No. 5: Schubert and the Pummel of Hummel · Salastina

About

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